How to Protect Pecan Trees From Squirrels

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How to Protect Pecan Trees From Squirrels

Overview

According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, squirrels are the primary mammal pest in a pecan orchard. Squirrel damage to pecan orchards begins as the animals collect nuts for winter storage in September, and continues up to the moment that the nuts are harvested. Pecan orchards near wooded areas are particularly devastated because a squirrel can reach the nuts without having to travel over the ground. Protecting pecan nuts is vital to producing a good harvest.

Step 1

Select a live trap for capturing a squirrel that has a 9-inch-square opening at each end and is 24 inches long.

Step 2

Place the trap directly into the squirrel's travel pathway.

Step 3

Set a bait of apple or orange slices, pecans or peanut butter from a loop about 6 inches off the ground so that the squirrel will smell it.

Step 4

Tie the trap doors open and leave them that way for a few days so that the squirrels can become used to feeding from the trap.

Step 5

Untie the doors and set the trap to be triggered when the squirrel attempts to remove the food from the loop. Check the trap twice daily until you have caught a squirrel.

Things You'll Need

References

Who Can Help

Texas A&M University Extension: Texas Pecan Orchards

Keywords:
pest control, eliminating squirrels, pecan trees

About this Author

Tracy S. Morris has been a freelance writer since 2000. She has published two novels and numerous online articles. Her work has appeared in national magazines and newspapers, including "Ferrets," "CatFancy," "Lexington Herald Leader" and "The Tulsa World."